Car and train-pipe coupling



April 21, 1.925.

O. C. BILLMAN CAR AND TRAIN PIPE COUPLING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I .w I?

I py my/4 A ril 21, 1925. 1,534,631

o. c. BILLMAN CAR AND TRAIN PIKE COUPLING Filed Feb. 26, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet Z Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

UNITED STATES I OBED C. BILLMAN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CAR AND TRAIN-PIPE CGU'PLIN'G.

Application filed February 26, 1920. Serial No. 361,386.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Oman 0. BILLMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car and TIE1-l11 Pipe Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in car and train pipe couplings, the primary object of the invention being to provide a generally improved automatic car and train pipe coupling which will be exceedingly simple in construction, cheap of manufacture, and efiicient in use.

A further and very important object is the provision of an improved train pipe coupling which may not only be readily attached to and detached from the coupler heads of any standard J anne'y or M. O. B. car coupling and in which the train pipe coupling members may not only be readily attached to or detached from the train pipe and connector heads of the standard or conventional form, but one in which the train pipe coupling members are so attached and arranged relative to each other and to the car coupling members as to cooperate with each other in centralizing the pulling and buffing strains and stresses and also in tending to centralize and align the coupler shanks or stems of the car couplers and cooperate with the draft gears thereof.

A further object of the invention is to so mount and arrange the train pipe coupling members relative to the car coupling members when the latter are in coupled position that the relative transverse movements ofsuch car couplers incident to curvaturesin the railway track and the relative vertical movements between such car couplers will not appreciably disturb the alignment of the connected train pipe coupling members so that the latter will remain in substantially the same relative position during the various movements of the car coupler mem-.

bers to meet the varying exigencies of actual service. I

A still further object is the provision of improved means whereby when the car and trainpipe coupling members are separated the latter will be held in the same horizontalplane with the car coupler head so that when the car couplers are brought together the train pipe spring resisted movable coupler heads will engage and connect with each other notwithstanding variations in the height of the adjacent car coupler head, and when the train pipe movable coupler heads are brought into engagement, and the car coupler heads are likewise engaged, the head supporting stems will be released in their support whereby the train pipe coupler heads will be heldin substantial alignment and be permitted to vibrate vertically rellative to the coupler head and to adjust themselves to the various positions of the latter.

A still further object is the provision of means whereby the train pipe coupler heads may be separated and one or both thereof removed and replaced without disturbing the coupler heads at the draw bar.

A still further obj means whereby the train pipesand pipe connectors may be readily detached from the train pipe coupler heads and be readily attached to train pipes and connector heads not equipped with the] automatic train pipe coupling. Y

A still further object is the provision of an improved train pipe in which the principles of construction and operation may be readily incorporated or embodied in car couplings of the Janney type and in which the operation and mounting of such car couplers will be improved for reasons hereinbefore indicated and as will hereinafter more fully appear.

lVith the above mentioned and others ends in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described,-illustrated in some of its embodiments in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

' Referring to thedrawmgaformmg a part of this specification, Figure 1, is a top plan view of a connected tram pipe coupling constructed 1n accordance with this lnvention,

' applied, as an attachment, to a car coupling of the M. C. B. type. I

Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3, a perspective view of the relatively fixed and movable coupler members, detached from the car coupler head, the movable or train pipe coupler member being shown in compressed or connected position and the support of the guide stem being in released or unseated position relative to the fixed or guide member to permit vertical movement of the movable coupler member ect is the provision of relative to the fixed member and the car coupler head.

Fig. 4, a perspective view of the relatively fixed or guide member with the movable coupler member or head removed.

Fig. 5, a perspective disassembled view of the movable coupler head and its guiding and connecting mechanism.

Fig. 6, a perspective view of the relatively fixed and movable coupler members, detached, the movable coupler head being equipped with dual ports or conduits and connectors for receiving and connecting with steam and signal hose and hose connectors.

Fig. 7, a perspective view of the opposing coupler members thereof, detached.

Fig. 8, a fragmentary perspective view of one of the gasket portions of one of the coupler members and illustrating the gasket portion thereof.

Fig. 9, a sectional view of the gasket, detached.

Fig. 10, a side elevation of a car coupler head having the relatively fixed or guide coupling member formed integral therewith .and illustrating a modified form of mounting the relatively movable train pipe coupling member.

Similar numerals of reference designate like parts throughout all the figures of the drawings.

The car coupler is preferably of the M. C. B. type and comprises the usual coupler head 1, and knuckle 2, the knuckle being adapted to be locked and unlocked by any suitable and convenient mechanism and the coupler head being adapted to be connected to suitable draft gears through the coupler stem 1 As a means of automatically connecting and disconnecting the train pipe members the coupler heads are provided with relatively fixed and movable coupler members 3 and 4, respectively, the relatively fixed coupler members 3, forming, in the present instance, a support or guide, and the movable members 4, forming hose connecting or corn pier members adapted to carry the train pipe members and to bring such train pipes into and out of communication with each other with the coupling and uncoupling movements of the car couplers 1.

The base portions of the fixed or guide members 3, are preferably curved from the common center of the connection or point of lateral oscillation between the connected knuckles 2, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and so likewise the inner curved or bearing faces of the hose coupler heads or members 4, and as a means of conveniently attaching or detaching the fixed coupler members 3, to the coupler heads, the latter are provided with attaching bolts 3, adapted to screw into threaded openings in the coupler heads.

As a means of properly guiding and holding the train pipe coupler heads 4, in proper relative position and holding the same in connected position when coupled, the rear ends of the train pipe coupling heads 4, are provided with guide stems 4, extending through guide openings 3", in the guide or bracket portions 3, of the relatively fixed or guide members 3.

Coiled compression springs 5, are mounted about the guide stems 4 and between the 7 movable coupling members 4, and the guide or bracket members 3.

As a means of holding the movable couplers 4, in contact with the curved faces of the fixed members 3, the rear ends of the guide stems 4, are provided with outwardly extending arms 6, provided with coiled tension springs 6, the latter extending forwardly and being detachably connected to a bracket arm 3, on the relatively fixed or guide member 3.

As a means of holding the movable coupler members 4, in horizontal alignment with each other or particularly in substantially the same horizontal plane with the coupler heads 1, when about to make a coupling so that the conical head and recess members of the movable coupling members 4, will meet and enter into each other in making a coupling, the rear ends of the rear sides of the bracket members 3, are provided with truncated cone shaped openings 3, adapted to re ceive and form a seat for similarly shaped truncated heads or supports S The conical shaped supporting heads 3, are internally threaded and threaded upon the guide stems 4, and may be secured in adjusted position by means of the arms 6, and adjusting nuts 6.

hen the couplers meet in the action of 1H5 connecting the car couplers the train pipe coupling members 4, will be moved rearwardly against the resistance of the springs 5, and 6 and in so doing the heads 3, moving out of the seat portions 3, will,alter the couplers are connected,permit the heads 4, and stems 4, to move vertically to adjust themselves to the varying heights of the draw or coupler heads 1, and to vibrate freely against the fixed members or guides 115 3, and at the same time hold the connected or abutting ends in fixed relative position, as indicated for example in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

As a means of connecting the brake pipe or hose 7, to the coupler heads 4, at one side and automatically forming communication therebetween when the heads are brought together, the latter are provided with central brake pipe ports or conduits 4*, the latter 115 being provided within the conical shaped heads and recesses of the coupling members 4, with gaskets 4, which are adapted to make a fluid tight joint when the coupling memhers 4, are connected.

As a means of connecting the train ports 4 with standard pipe or hose connectors 7, the sides of the movable coupling members 4;, at the outer terminal portions of the ports or conduits P, are provided with connector heads of standard construction having the usual overhanging'lips 4 under which the usual extensions 7", of the hose pipe connectors 7 are adapted to extend and interlock.

As a means of connecting the steam and signal pipes 8, and 9, for passenger service, the opposite coupling heads a, are provided with ports or conduits 8 and 9, respectively, said ports being provided at their front ends with gaskets l, and at their rear ends with connector heads 4?, and inwardly extending flanges or lips ishaped and formed to connect with standard hose connectors 8 and 9 respectively.

It will be seen that by connecting the brake pipes 7, and the steam and signal pipes 8 and 9, to the coupler heads 4, through the medium of standard connector heads 4d, and connecting the train pipes with standard hose connectors 7 8 and 9 that in the event of the car coupling of an opposite car not being equipped with auto matic train pipe couplings o connectors, the connectors 7 8* and 9, may be disconnected from the connector heads 4, and directly connected with the standard connectors on the hose pipes of the unequipped car and thus no time be lost or inconvenience result.

It will also be observed that the automatic train pipe couple-rs being located on opposite sides of the car couplers and being provided with the springs 6 and 5, the action of such springs in connection with the car coupler heads and draft gearing will tend to normally maintain the couplers and draw bars in a longitudinally centralized or aligned position and distribute the butting strains and stresses in a uniform manner; also cooperating with and improving the action of the car couplers and draft gears.

Upon reference to Figs. 1, and 2, showing a standard car coupling equipped with train pipe coupling members 4, for carrying and connecting air or brake hose for freight service, it will be seen that the brake hose comprises relatively short and long branches A, and B, respectively, connected to the train brake pipe 10, through the medium of the usual angle or coupling valve housing 11, controlled by the usual valve provided with a valve handle 11 and as a means of controlling the short branch A, and particularly asa means ofclosing the'same in the event that it is desired to connect the long branch hose B, to a standard connector on a train'pipe or hose of an unequipped car as above referred to, the angle cock or valve 11, is provided withan extension or branch 11', controlled by a valve and valve handle 11.

For passenge service, the coupler guides are equipped with the train pipe couplers or members 4, of the specific form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, of the drawings in which the steam and signal fiuid ports or conduits 8, and 9, are. arranged above and below the central air or brake conduit l In the event of equipment for passenger service, it will be understood that the steam and signal pipes or hose 8, and 9, will be connected to the train pipes in a manner similar to the air hose and in similar branch form as indicated in Fig. 1, of the drawings.

In Fig. 10, of the drawings I have shown the relatively fixed or guide coupling member as an integral part of the car coupler head and have also shown a slightly modified form of mounting and supporting the movable t-rain pipe coupling member, in the fixed or guide member in that the head stop: or support'on the movable guide or stem'is in the specific form of asupporting disc or plate 3 adapted to abut or be seated against the back of the guide or bracket member 3, of the relatively fixed coupling guide memher, as contradistinguished from the truncated conical shaped form ofstop or support 33*, mounted and adapted to be seated and unsea-ted in a similarly shaped opening hereinbefore described and as disclosed in the other figures of the drawings.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms andexpressions, of excluding any mechanical equivalent for the features shown and described,

but recognize that various structural modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. I

Having thus described some of the em b-odiments of my invention. without having attempted to set forth all the forms in which it may be made or all the modes of its-use, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

1. A car coupler head provided with lateral arc-uately arranged relatively fixed and movable guide and slide members, respectively. v

2. A car coupler head provided with relatively fixed and movable coupler head centralizing arcuately arranged side members.

3. In a car and train pipe coupler, a coupler head provided with relatively fixed curved arcuate guides, and spring resisted train pipe coupler members movable relatively of and guided by said arcuate guides.

at. In a car coupler, a coupler head provided with relatively movable lateral members having arcuate bearing portions struck from theapproximate center of lateral oscillation of the coupler head when connected to a companion coupler head.

5. A car coupler head provided with cush ioned lateral members movable substantially iii) arcuately from the approximate center of lateral oscillation thereof when in engagement with a companion coupler.

6. A coupler head provided with curved side guides carrying train pipe couplers, and means for holding the latter in registry in variable relative angular and arcuate positions to the coupler head when connected and in a relatively fixed horizontal position thereto when disconnected from companion couplers.

7. In a car coupling, a coupler head provided with arcuate side guides, and spring resisted coupler members carried by and movable relatively of the latter vertically and arcuately when connected to opposing couple members, and stop supports for holding said spring resisted coupler members in a relatively fixed position at the sides of said coupler head when disconnected.

8. In a car coupling, a car coupler head provided with a relatively fixed member having an arcuate guide portion, and a train pipe coupling member movable arcuately in the latter whereby said car coupler head and guide are permitted to move arcuately relative to said train pipe coupling member.

9. In an automatic car and train pipe coupling, the combination with an M. C. B. car coupler head provided with lateral guides: of a train pipe coupler head movable resiliently and arcuately on the latter and having a supporting stop cooperating therewith.

10. In a car and train pipe coupling, a pair of connected coupler heads provided with vertically and arcuately movable train pipe coupler members, and means for supporting and holding the latter in a relatively constant position during the lateral oscillations and vertical movements between said coupler heads when connected.

11. In acar coupling, a car coupler head provided with arcuate guides struck from the approximate center of lateral oscillation of said coupler head when connected with a companion head, and spring resisted menr bers substantially arcuately movable in said guides and provided with means for holding the same in a fixed horizontal position with said coupler head when disconnected.

12. In a car and train pipe coupling, the combination with a train service pipe and a car coupler provided with lateral arcuately movable train pipe coupling members: of branch train pipes detachably connected to the latter and the train service pipe.

13. In a combination car and train pipe coupling, the combination with a car coupler provided with oppositely arranged resiliently mounted movable train pipe couplers: of relatively long and short branch hose connected with the latter and connected to the train service pipe, and a valve for closing said relatively short branch hose when the relatively long branch hose is connected with an unequipped car.

14. In a car coupling, a coupler head provided with a relatively fixed guide member having arcuate bearings struck from the approximate center of lateral oscillation when connected with a companion coupler, and a train pipe coupler movable approximately arcuately in said bearings whereby the latter are permitted to move relatively to said train pipe coupler when said car and train pipe coupler members are connect-ed to companion coupler members without disturbing the connection of said relatively movable train pipe coupler members when connected.

15. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with car coupler heads of the Janney type provided with guide members having arcuate bearing faces struck from the ap proximate center of lateral oscillation be tween said car coupler heads when connected; of train pipe coupling members on said guide members resiliently carried on said arcuate bearing faces whereby the latter are permitted to move relatively of said train pipe coupling members from said ap proximate center of lateral oscillation and said train pipe coupling members are maintained in a relatively fixed connected relation to each other.

16. In a train pipe car coupling, the combination with car coupler heads of the M. C. B. type provided with arcuate guides; oi train pipe coupling members movably carried by said arcuate guides whereby said coupling members are maintained in constant connected relation, and means for holding said train pipe coupling members in a horizontal plane with the car coupling heads when the latter are detached.

17. In a train pipe coupling, the combination with a car coupler head provided with a lateral guide member curved from the approximate center of oscillation of said car coupler head when connected with a companion coupler head, a train pipe coupler head movably mounted and guided by said guide member, and means for holding said train pipe coupler head in horizontal alignment with the car coupler head when the latter is detached from a companion coupler head and means in cooperative relation to said last mentioned means for permitting relative movements between the car and train pipe coupler heads when connected whereby the connected train pipe coupling members are held connected in the varying positions of the connected car cou- 1 pler heads.

18. In a car and train pipe coupling, the combination with car couplers provided with guide members positioned to move in the arc of a circle from the approximate center of lateral oscillation of said coupler heads when connected; of train pipe coupler members carried by said guide members in connected relation to said approximate center of Oscillation when con nected including means for returning and holding said train pipe coupler members in a relatively fixed horizontal relation to said car couplers when disconnected.

19. In a car andtrain pipe coupling, the combination with a pair of. car coupler heads; of relatively fixed guide members at the sides of said coupler heads, and relatively movable train pipe coupling members movably and resiliently actuated on said fixed guide members whereby said movable members are maintained in a relatively fixed connected position irrespective of the relative vertical and lateral movements between said car coupler heads when connected.

20; In combination with a pair of connected coupler heads provided with arcuate relatively fixed guide members, side coupling members resiliently connected to said guide members and movable vertically and arcuately thereof when said couplers are connected whereby said side coupling members are maintained in a relatively fixed connected relation to each other and a centralizing and equalizing movement imparted to said coupler heads, and means for supporting said side coupling members in a relatively fixed position to said coupler heads when disconnected.

21. In an automatic train pipe coupling, a relatively fixed member at the side of the car coupler head provided with a guide, a relatively movable train pipe coupling member carried by and movable on said fixed member and guide, a stop carried by said train pipe coupling member adapted to engage and interlock with said relatively fixed member and guide and thereby support said train pipe coupling vertically when disconnected and projected, means for moving said train pipe coupling member and stop horizontally in disengaging relation to said guide of said relatively fixed member, and means for disconnecting said train pipe coupling member from said car coupler head when the car coupler heads are in connected position.

22. In an automatic train pipe coupling, a relatively fixed guide member detachably secured to the side of a car coupler head, a relatively movable train pipe coupling member provided with a guide stem carried by said guide member, an adjustable and detachable stop on said guide stem adapted in one position to be unseated and disconnected from said guide member, and means for resiliently projecting said movable train pipe coupling member and causing said stop to be seated on and to interlock with said guide member to hold said relatively movable train pipe coupling member in a relatively fixed relation to the coupler head when disconnected i'roin an opposed orcompanion train pipe coupler member.

23. In acar and train pipe coupling, the, combination with a car coupler PFOVltlGCl.

with oppositely arranged arcuately movable train pipe coupling members; of branch train pipes detachably connected to the latter and to the train service pipe.

24. In a car and train pipe coupling, the combination with a train service pipe and a car coupler provided with oppositely and arcuately ar 'anged relatively movable train pipe coupling members; of relatively long and short branch train pipes detachably connected to the latter and to said train service pipe.

25. In a combination car and train pipe coupling, the combination with a train service pipe and a car coupler head provided with oppositely arranged train pipe couplers movable relatively and arcuately; of branch pipes connected with the latter and said train service pipe, and means for closing one of said branch pipes when the other is connected with an unequipped car.

26. In a combination car and train pipe coupling, the combination with a train service pipe and a car coupler head provided at its sides with oppositely arranged relatively movable train pipe couplers; of branch pipes connected with the latter and said train service pipe, and a supplementary valve for closing one of said branch pipes when the other is connected with an un equipped car.

27. In a car and train pipe coupling, the combination with a train service pipe and a car coupler head provided with laterally disposed relatively and arcuately movable train pipe coupling members; of double branch train pipes connected to the latter and said train service pipe, one of said branch train pipes being relatively long and extending beneath the car coupler head for connection either to the train pipe coupling member on the opposite side of said car coupler head or to a standard hose and connection of an unequipped car.

28. In a car and train pipe coupling, the combination with a car coupler head provided with oppositely arranged relatively movable lateral train pipe coupling members; of branch relatively long and short train pipes detachably connected to the latter and connected to a common train service pipe, and means "for closing said relatively short branch pipes when the other is con: nected with an unequipped car.

29. In a car coupling, in combination with suitable car couplers, and lateral arcuate guide members on said couplers, of spring resisted side coupling members movable relatively and arcuately of said guide members whereby said side coupling members when connected are maintained in a relatively fixed connected position and said car couplers are centralized and equalized laterally.

30. In a car and train pipe coupling the combination with a pair of car coupler heads, and relatively fixed arcuate guide members on said coupler heads; of relatively movable train pipe couplers resiliently and areuately actuated on said relatively fixed guide members whereby said relatively movable members are maintained in a relatively fixed connect-ed position to each other irrespective of the relative movements between said car coupler heads when connected.

81. In a car coupling, in combination with car couplers, oppositely arranged side members carried by said couplers and having arcuately arranged guides, and side coupling members movably and resiliently connected to said guides whereby said side coupling members when connected are maintained in a relatively fixed connected position to each other and said car couplers are centralized and equalized in their lateral movements.

82. In a car and train pipe coupling, the combination with car coupler heads, and curved fixed guides on said couple-r heads; of oppositely arrange-d spring resisted rela tively movable train pipe couplers guided by said fixedguides whereby said relatively movable members are maintained in a relatively fixed connected position to each other during the relative movements between said car couple-r heads when connected, and means for limiting the movements of said train pipe couplers and holding the same in a relatively fixed horizontal position when disconnected from companion couplers.

ln testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

OBED C. BILLMAN. 

